286 Wild Birds and theer Haunts 



THE PASSING OF THE GOLDEN EAGLE FROM 

 SCOTLAND. 



His Grace the Duke of Sutherland has formed an ex- 

 cellent museum at Dunrobin Castle. The museum, 

 situated in the pleasure grounds, near the castle, is 

 admirably fitted up, and contains a most interesting col- 

 lection. The antiquities, especially the relics of the 

 ancient Picts, are well worthy of notice, but to the 

 naturalist the collection of birds is of the highest interest. 



In this museum one finds specimens of nearly all the 

 avi-fauna of Scotland. Some, however, are fast dis- 

 appearing before the guns and traps of poachers and 

 others. 



Among the native Scottish birds the eagle is by far the 

 most noble, and it is deplorable that this species is said 

 to be gradually getting scarce. The brilliance of its 

 eyes as it poses watching the approach of an enemy, and 

 its general attitude admirably realises the following 

 passage culled from the book called " Highland Sports," 

 by Mr. S. John :— 



' ' How picturesque he looks, and how perfectly he 

 represents the genus loci as, perched on some rocky point 

 or withered tree, lie sits unconcerned in wind and storm, 

 motionless and statue-like, with his keen, stern eye, how- 

 ever, intently following every movement of the shepherd 

 or the srjortsman, who, deceived by his apparent disregard, 

 attempts to creep within rifle-shot ! Long before he can 

 reckon on reaching so far with his bullet the bird launches 

 himself into the air, and, gradually sweeping upwards, 

 wheels high out of shot, leaving his enemy disappointed 

 and vexed at having crept in vain through bog and over 

 rock in expectation of carrying home so glorious a trophy 

 of his skill." 



The measurements of an eagle of average size are as 

 follow : — Length from tip of beak to end of tail, 35m. ; 

 from the surface of the rock on which he sits to top of 

 head, 2oin. ; width of partially expanded tail, 15m. ; length 

 of wing from shoulder to end of flight feathers, 24m. 



The eagle is admirably adapted to perform the duties 



